Chap 10: Business Proposal & Formal Report

In a report organized using the direct strategy, place your conclusions and recommendations:

• first in the report.

• last in the report.

• throughout the report as the relevant subtopics are discussed.

• in their typical locations: recommendations in the introduction and conclusions at the end of the report.

When businesses need to solve specific, current problems, they are most likely to rely on secondary, historical data available in company records and on the Web.

• True

• False

Like proposals and informal reports, formal reports should begin with a(n):

• discussion of causes and effects.
  

• explanation of the author's affiliation with the company.

• definition of the project.

• authorization request.

Providing answers to business problems often means generating primary data through:

• a. Web search of relevant pages and blogs.

• library research of relevant books, magazines, and other print resources.

• paid subscription to a news wire service.

• surveys, interviews, observation, and experimentation.

Although researchers are increasingly turning to electronic data, some information is available only in print.

• True

• False

The planning of every report begins with a statement of purpose explaining the goal, significance, and limitations of the report.

• True

• False

If the goal of a business report is to educate the readers, an effective organizational strategy is to provide facts and discussion first followed by conclusions and recommendations.

• True

• False

Careful documentation of sources of data in a report is important because

• it can strengthen the writer's argument.

• it protects the writer from charges of plagiarism.

• it instructs the reader.

• All of these choices are correct.

For readers of a formal report, the executive summary provides

• a list of all graphics used.

• the list of sources used.

• a quick overview of the report.

• budgetary considerations.

Surveys yield efficient and economical secondary data for reports.

• True

• False